CHAPTER 7

The words rang in her head, running and running, but it didn't make any sense. Not until she thought of a memory. A moment in her young life, she wish had never happened. How people from the Konoha and as well as from other villages wanted her eyes, the Byakugan.

She remembered the failed attempt to abduct her when she was just a little girl. Young Byakugan eyes, all seeing, unmarked forehead, and a helpless heiress. It was too tempting. And with this situation they lost so much. Neji niisans father Hizashi lost his life willingly to protect her, to protect the byakugan, to protect her father and his twin brother, to protect the Clan. The effects of Hizashis lost life is still felt to this day. And to think that the same thing happened to Itachi made her blood boil.

It's Itachis...

He took it. These eyes. His eyes. He's been looking at me the whole time. He killed him and then he took them for himself.

Didn't Itachi suffered enough?

Her body shook and she can't hear a thing anymore. She needed to go somewhere. Somewhere private where she'll be able to cry.

Hinata turned and tried to hide the uncomfort and anger in her face, she focused on her foot and her balance. Home. She realized, she needed to go home.

"Nice spar Dobe, Lee." She heard Sasuke say. He was already behind her, for a moment she thought he almost stumbled on a rock.

"Don't be such a baby Sasuke!" Naruto teased.

Of course he's coming with me. I'm never alone since he came back claiming he's the father of my child. "Always be within my range" he said.

She turned the knob of the door of her apartment, and she felt the sticky substance still in her hands. Sasukes blood. She entered, washed her hands clean and just stood there waiting for him. Why? She didn't know.

Sasuke entered the house, his hands and parts of his shirt covered in blood. That horrible smell intensified. She stepped closer and he just stood there waiting. His eyes, droopy, irritated, and red.

Slap..

Her tears instantly fell like river, and she shook violently.

Anger.

She always knew how to handle this emotion, but now failing to control herself felt better. Slapping Sasuke felf good. She had herself thinking if this is how Sakura felt when she slapped her.

"I hate you!" She aimed for a loud voice. To shout. But it didn't turn out that way. It came out like a cry, a helpless cry for something she didn't know.

Sasuke didn't even try to cover himself from her assault. He just stood there. Silent and his eyes glued to the floor, to her feet.

She wanted to punch him, she is a kinuichi and if she wanted she could kill him now, just a little chakra from her fingers to his heart, just like how Neji did it to her during the chuunin exams, but somehow she couldn't draw enough strength to do it overwhelmed by emotion, so she hit him in his chest repeatedly without the right form, like an ordinary man. She wanted to hurt him and she ended up looking pitiful.

"I hate you for being here, I hate you for taking his eyes!.."

"...This? This hateful person you're seeing is not me Sa-sasuke, I'm not like this, I d-don't slap people..."

"..But you just fill me with this emotions, I c-can't even.." She couldn't continue herself from talking, she was already stuttering, she didn't know what she was saying. Breathing became hard and she just wanted to die.

She felt Sasukes hands curl around her arms. Stopping her movements. His eyes looked mad and confused and hurt.

"What did you see in him? How old are you Hinata? I know I'm older than you and yet here you are, pregnant. How long did you know him? Was that enough time to be in love with a person? I thought you liked Naruto? Did you really know him huh? The real Itachi?" He spat, shaking her, insulting her, and finally talking. He didn't know it but his words hurt her she thought she would crumple and die of shame. But she stood her ground.

"You may see me as a shameless s-slut, but know this Sasuke, I had no regrets! No matter what you do here, no matter what the people may see, y-you will never be Itachi."

There she said it. She held her head high and stared at his face, who wasn't showing any emotion at this point. Until he smirked a little and came a snort.

"I hate to disappoint you but I will be Itachi.." Her face contorted in confusion, shock and fear.

"..I will burn an entire clan or a village if that meant that you and the life of your child will be safe." He looked at her with his eyes. Sincerity was there, she felt it. She heard it. And how she wished she didn't see them. Again. Why does she always see his true intentions?

"But you killed him Sasuke.." She cried more. "You killed your own brother." Her voice now a whisper in the hot wind. Her heart almost felt like it was at her throat. She hates confrontations.

"Did you love him Hinata?" He asked. His voice now much calmer.

Five simple words, that made her heart tremble. A question, people and even her family have asked her before. But now hearing Sasuke ask her the same made her feel afraid. She could answer this. Right? I loved him despite the short period of time i knew him. Right?

"I l-love him." There was a stutter, and she wanted to smack herself for this. Sasuke tho, just nodded.

"I didn't kill him.. I.." He sounded like he was confessing.

"..I couldn't kill him."

"He died on his own."

Hinata was confused. Suddenly remembering how Itachi coughed blood when they were together. He was so sick.

I should have taken him to a healer. I should've forced him. I should have done something. Anything. But i couldn't, just like Sasuke i couldn't do anything.

"He looked peaceful. Maybe that was what he really wanted.. I didn't know it then but I knew something or someone made him happy, Thank you for giving him happiness." Sasukes eyes looked so far and sad and almost peaceful but also full of regret. She thought for a moment if he was being sincere. After all the hurtful words he said to her.

"Give me all your hate, all that violence you have, all the anger.. I will accept them Hinata. But I will be here." She heard him say as he gave her space going to the bathroom.

Sasukes face made her crumble to her knees and cry. She imagined how Itachi looked like, what were his last words, his last thoughts. And all the places her mind went made her heart break.

--

Drying his face with a small towel, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. A lot of people said that he looked like his brother, but he begs to disagree.

Itachi was just different, in so many ways, as a person, as a Shinobi, as a brother, he was unique. Unlike him.

He stared at the veins in his eyes, red and angry, he strained his newly acquired eyes, he slept for only 3 hours in the span of one week, it hurts now that the adrenaline he felt from the spar with Naruto and Lee was slowly washing away.

He could heal himself. Just a little chakra and he will be good as new. He knew he could but he chose not to. He realized he wanted to feel the pain. He wanted to feel this agonizing pain behind his eyes, behind his brothers eyes.

It's the least he could do. He guessed that guilt was the one to blame.

--

The buzzing of his companions vibrated his chest, telling him that something was wrong. Like always.

Aburame Shino adjusted his glasses, his eyes squinting from the bright sun. His parka despite the warm weather is still on. He walked along the parts of Konoha which he is still not familiar with. Hinatas apartment was near the Old Hyuuga Compound but still farther.

This will only be the second time that he will be visiting her new home. Carrying the package securely, he tried to think of how Hinata and Sasuke came to be. In all the years that he knew his teammate, Uzumaki Naruto has always been the apple of her eyes. From their days in the academy, her admiration and dare he say love for the Blond has always been there even when she blossomed into a young woman. So how and when did Sasuke entered the picture?

When did he notice Hinata?

Did Sasuke have a crush on Hinata when they were younger?

Did he visit her when he was still rogue?

Did he ask her to wait for him?

Did Hinata liked two men at once?

The more Shino thought about it, the more he's getting confused. He wanted to feel betrayed, maybe even offended that Hinata didn't trust him or Kiba enough to tell them who was Sasuke in her life, but he just didn't have it within him. To have anything against Hinata would be like him killing his own bugs; it won't be good for him and he will end up hurting her. So no. Shino is above that, he loves and respects Hinata, simple as that.

He turned and saw the structure of her new home. The air in this area is fresher compared to the polluted center of Konoha, at least polluted in his standards.

He knocked twice and heard a shuffling of feet. His insects still buzzing telling him things he chose to ignore. There in front of him stood Hyuuga Hinata.

"Hinata, here's what you asked for last night..." He saw her puffy and sweaty red face, his kikachû still vibrating. "Are you alright Hinata? I heard about Sasukes eyes bleeding when i saw Kiba, is he okay?"

"I am a-alright Shino-kun, it's just that i get really emotional these days and i cry at little things, S-sasuke is fine. Thank you for this Shino-kun, i am really sorry if i bothered you for this." She stammered, her eyes darting everywhere, mostly looking down at the package, but he nodded anyway.

"We will always help Hinata, and don't ever think that you're bothering anyone. Well i will leave you now, i know you have a lot preparations, i hope it fits."

Shino who isn't one for physical affections didn't budge when Hinata hugged him without a warning. Hinata unlike the others wasn't afraid or disgusted by the nature of his body, and he welcomed her touch everytime.

"Arigato Shino-kun." She smiled shyly when she let him go.

Adjusting his glasses and his parka, he wen't on his way thinking that maybe Sasuke being with Hinata doesn't have to complicated to understand.

Because Hinata will never judge a person without knowing them first. He can testify to that. And also now that he thought about it, Hinata wasn't a fangirl of the Uchiha. And everyone knows how the last Uchiha hated them screaming his name.

He smirked. I shouldn't be making this complicated.

--

Hinata stared at the package she asked of Shino last night. Their team has always been unique when it came to their natural abilities and physical attributes, they can communicate through Shinos insects.

He insisted that she keep one special kikaichû inside her house for occasions that she cannot go outside. She used it for the very first time last night.

Hinata never liked asking favors from other people, her teammates or even her family. She would rather do things on her own but her teammates especially Kiba would always treat her like a princess. She took a deep breath and entered her room.

--

"Let me."

Sitting at the edge of her bed, Sasuke let Hinata take a look at his eyes, for a moment he thought she will just wrap it up with something. But it turns out she wanted to heal him. He closed his eyes and let her do anything she wanted. He's tired of fighting.

"Do you still want to proceed with this dinner? We can't strain your e-eyes. I am sure Father will understand."

"Ie, we should go." He needed to meet the Hyuuga Clan as soon as possible. He can always rest later.

Hinata nodded and gave him a package he knew Shino brought. He looked at her and opened it. A simple yet elegant Yukata was introduced to him, colors of deepest red and blue stared back at him.

"Father would be pleased to see you in your clans colors."

"And you?"

Would she be wearing the Uchihas colors too?

"I will be wearing both of our Clans colors, i do not wish to offend him." She excused herself and turned for the bathroom, while he took his time to examine the fabric in his callused hands. Our Clan.

--

It only took them a few minutes to be at their destination. The Hyuuga Compound was a real sight to see, more traditional compared to the Uchiha District, but the vibe was almost the same.

He saw how Hinata was loved by most of her Clansmen, obviously they are delighted by her presence. But there are also some who looked downright disappointed. Hyuuga Neji was there, welcoming them and thanking him for protecting Hinata from Sakuras wrath. He could see he's pissed at the idea of Sasuke getting his sweet little cousin pregnant but he chose to not speak about it.

"About the wedding Uchiha-sama, when do you intend to marry my daughter?"

Hyuuga Hiashi kept calling him "Uchiha-sama". He didn't care about titles and honorifics, but it also did not sound like Hiashi was kissing his ass. No. Hiashi was intimidating. Just like how he expected him to be. He was just being respectful to him, because he's basically the Head of the Uchiha Clan. Sasuke keeps on forgetting about the technicalities of being the only survivor of the Uchiha massacre.

"After Hinata gives birth, i intend to marry her as soon as she's strong enough. Hyuuga-sama." Sasuke clench his jaw, as if it was so hard to talk to someone with respect.

Hiashi nodded, pleased about the whole thing.

"When did you first noticed my neesama?" Hyuuga Hanabi, Hinatas younger sister smoothly joined the conversation. He looked at Hinata who's looking nervous.

"When she did not chase me around when i was in the academy, Hanabi-san" He smiled a little at his own revelation. At this Hiashi too gave a small smile, the patriarch seemed almost proud that his daughter wasn't a fangirl.

She really never did. She did follow Naruto around tho.

The dinner was not as bad has he thought it would be, Hyuuga Hiashi was indeed cold and old and intimidating, but he's also caring and thoughtful of his daughters, he finally understood why Hinatas situation made him snap. He didn't know how to show his love for his children.

Hyuuga Hanabi was a different case, she was loud and cheerful and honest. The younger Hyuuga wasn't shy about speaking her mind. Not once did Hiashi tried to stop her from joining the conversations meant for the adults, it was almost as if Hiashi enjoyed this from Hanabi. Hinata tho, was quiet and just enjoyed listening.

"I insist that you spend the night here Hinata, Uchiha-sama, It's late and you should be sleeping already. Why don't you two sleep at your old bedroom?"

"Father kept your room clean ever since you moved out." He heard Hanabi whisper to her older sister, who is blushing now.

"Thank you Father. I hope you sleep well." Hinata shyly walked up to her father and stood on her tip toes, giving her father a kiss at his cheek.

"Go rest. I still need to talk to Uchiha-sama. It will only take a minute."

Hinata and Hanabi nodded and went to he guessed the direction of Hinatas old room.

--

"She would never name you when i asked her."

Sasuke stood still, silently listening and admiring the fireflies flying far around the garden.

"I asked her a thousand times but she didn't. If i knew then what i know now, i would have understood. But i didn't so i asked her to move out."

Hiashi looked like he was talking to himself. But Sasuke knew better.

"I was hurt. Hurt that my own daughter won't tell me who she loved. I imagine that my wife must be angry at me right now for what i did. And i admit that i was wrong. I hope she finds it in her to forgive me, and you too." The patriarch was sincere, his appearance looked more like a father now than a clan leader.

"Hinata is not someone who will hate you for vanishing her. She's hurt too, but we all know how she is. You're still her father.."

"..It was wrong of me to have her in this situation without marrying her first or even introducing my self to you. I apologize for that. But we want our child to know you as its grandfather."

Hiashi nodded and smiled genuinely. "Thank you."

--

He finally reached Hinatas room, he almost thought he was lost in this huge mansion. He saw Hinata already asleep at her old bed. He observed the place and realized it was almost the same as her room in the apartment. It was simple.

Her bed was a little small but they would have to sleep together, just in case someone decided to take a peek at them, it could be Hanabi for all he knows.

He sat silently at the edge and looked at Hinata, she looked so tired and stressed. He thought of how she healed him earlier when he wanted to feel pain.

He thought of how she hit him that afternoon, how she was so mad. He thought maybe those hits could have been kisses for Itachi. He swallowed these familiar and old emotion down.

"Thank you for healing me." He slept beside her.

--

Sasuke wakes up giddy and at the same time irritated. The morning was cold and his bones ached to be moved.

Hinata was hugging him, her face at his chest and her arm across his abdomen. His muscles clench at the sensation of her dark hair sprawled at his body. Sasukes eyes travelled down and he saw a dent in his pants.

Fuck.

He quickly stood, looking at Hinata who's slowly awakening from his sudden movement.

"We should go." He cleared his throat, taking deep breaths, turning and successfully hiding his shameful body reaction, trying to calm himself.

"But Father would want us to have breakfast here." She clearly had no idea what was going on, and what she had just done to him.

This woman is filled poison, and it's affecting me now.

"No, we need to go. I will wait for you outside."

She's poison blessed with beauty and rage.

--

Surprisingly Hinata cooked him a large portion of breakfast when they got home, he didn't want to believe that it was because she believed Narutos insistence that he eat more. Because he was just tired, and clearly it wasn't because of him lacking a nutritious breakfast.

A weak knock interrupted their silent ritual, and Hinata took it to herself to open the door.

"Oh Hinata-chan is Sasuke h-here?"

" What is it Dobe?"

Naruto wasn't his usual self today or as far as he could remember. He stuttered and his eyes had sad look.

"It's just.. it's Pervy sage, they said he's dead."

Hinata gasp and held her hand over her mouth. She immediately held the blonds hand.

"I'm sorry to hear that Naruto-kun, he was like a father to you right?"

Naruto seemed to be out of his mind, sadness didn't register well in his face. He hugged Hinata and thank her, turning to Sasuke.

"Let's go Dobe. Hinata i'll drop you off to Kurenai."

"H-hai."

--

"Hinata, is he treating you right?" Kiba sniffed at her while Akamaru slept at her side.

"Of course Kiba-kun, it's just that Naruto needs him now."

"I heard what happened to his Master, one of the Legendary Sannin was killed last night." Shino who was sitting at her front spoke calmy.

"There must be someone really strong in Ame." Akamaru barked in agreement with his master.

"But really Hinata, is Sasuke treating you well? If he doesn't, you know you can tell us right?" Kiba pushed further.

"He treats me well, sometimes he would cook for me too." She smiled.

"Wouldn't that be a sight?" Kiba grinned.

She suddenly remembered how Itachis demise affected Sasuke as a person, and as a shinobi. Itachi sacrificed his whole life for Sasuke, for the village.

"Please give him a chance, he is but a lonely child. I'm everything he's got."

Akamaru whined as she scratched him behind his ear.

--

"If only i was there, Ero Sennin wouldn't have to die." Naruto cried with anger in his voice.

Drinking their sake early in the morning, Naruto and Sasuke both sat on top of the Third Hokages Head.

In a way he realized he could relate to Naruto, the feeling of wanting to save someone and realizing you're too late was something he's still trying cope.

Naruto talked about how Jiraiya had taught him so much, from all the techniques, about their travels together, all the new things he got to experience because of the Legendary Sannin. All the while the blond cried silently. Sasuke who isn't one for situations like this listened and gave him all his attention.

"Itachi was already dying when we fought." He looked at the village he left years ago. And he remembered how he and his older brother walked these streets happy before it all went to hell.

"We never really had a chance to talk about that Sasuke." He heard the blond said, and he was right. Sasuke has been all over Hinata ever since he decided to come home. It can't be helped.

"Live your life Dobe. Your Master did just that."

--

She bonded with her teammates, had lunch and dinner with them too. She never really realized how she missed having moments like these, and though the whole day was fun for them, there is a part of them that would get sad about the news of Narutos master passing away in Ame.

The blond was a great part of her life, and she owed him a lot. To see him so sad and miserable was enough to make her sad too.

"Where is Naruto-kun? Is he alright?"

She asked Sasuke who smelled like sake now, but wasn't as drunk as she thought he would be.

"He's safe in his home, he's quite drunk."

He looked at her as if contemplating to do something. He looked confused and irritated.

"Did you eat well?" He asked, his face waiting for something.

"Yes, we ate at Kurenai Senseis house. She cooks really well. Did you eat at all?"

He nodded and handed her a box of special Dangos, turning and walking to the direction of her apartment.

She sniffed and her mouth watered instantly, she saw him stop walking and she caught up to him. The moon lit his face, giving his pale face colors of red. He was blushing from drinking sake.

She didn't waste time and took a bite while they walked.

Maybe Sasuke isn't as hopeless as he seems.

"Arigato."

--

AUTHORS NOTE:

Hello guys! I have decided to add another characters POV (SHINO), it's short but i think i will add more soon in the future chapters if i think it's neccessarry.

Also i changed the genre from Romance-Drama to Angst-Drama. I realized that given Hinata and Sasukes situation it will be hard to turn it very romantic, but dont worry there will be romance and fluff in this fic, not just the cheeziest situations tho, and i promise you a (hopefully) satisfying Sasuhina ending.

Thanks for all the Faves, Follows and Reviews! It means so much to me, it keeps me motivated!

PS. My inspiration for this chapter is Lana Del Reys song ULTRAVIOLENCE, if you're familiar with song then you will notice there are bits and pieces that will remind you of that song. i suggest you listen to it! till next time! hugs and kisses!